Communication cable with improved member for positioning signal conductors

Abstract

A communication cable can include twisted pairs of electrical conductors for transmitting electrical signals, such as for digital communication or data transmission. A flexible member within the cable can position the twisted pairs relative to one another to help the cable carry the electrical signals more effectively. The flexible member can have a cross section that is shaped like the letter T, the letter L, the letter J, or the letter Y. A jacket can circumferentially cover the positioned twisted pairs and the flexible member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A communication cable comprising:
 four twisted pair of individually insulated electrical conductors extending lengthwise; 
 an outer jacket covering the four twisted pairs; and 
 a flexible member extending lengthwise and spatially configuring the four twisted pairs, the flexible member comprising:
 a first portion that forms two cavities within the outer jacket with two of the twisted pairs disposed in a first of the two cavities and the other two twisted pairs disposed in a second of the two cavities, wherein the differences between twist rates of twisted pairs that are circumferentially adjacent one another are greater than the differences between twist rates of twisted pairs that are diagonal from one another; and 
 at least one second portion having a thickness that is substantially the same as that of the first strip, the at least one second portion joined to one end of the first portion and contacting the outer jacket, 
 
 wherein the flexible member has a cross section having a T-shape, a Y-shape, an L-shape, or a J-shape. 
 
     
     
       2. The communication cable of  claim 1 , wherein the cross section has a T-shape. 
     
     
       3. The communication cable of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one second portion comprises a convex section that runs adjacent a surface of the outer jacket. 
     
     
       4. The communication cable of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one second portion comprises a section that conforms to an inner contour of the outer jacket. 
     
     
       5. The communication cable of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one second portion comprises a concave section. 
     
     
       6. The communication cable of  claim 1 , wherein the cross section has a Y-shape. 
     
     
       7. The communication cable of  claim 1 , wherein the cross section has an L-shape. 
     
     
       8. The communication cable of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one second strip anchors the flexible member to the outer jacket. 
     
     
       9. The communication cable of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible member comprises a plurality of electrically conductive patches that are electrically isolated from one another to provide one or more shields. 
     
     
       10. The communication cable of  claim 1 , wherein the communication cable comprises a substantially round cable. 
     
     
       11. A communication cable, comprising:
 a jacket defining an interior space that extends lengthwise about a longitudinal axis of the communications cable; 
 a flexible member disposed in the interior space, extending lengthwise, and comprising:
 a first fin running substantially along the longitudinal axis and substantially dividing the interior space into a first lateral space and a second lateral space, the first fin comprising a first edge extending lengthwise and a second edge extending lengthwise; and 
 a second fin having a thickness that is substantially the same as the first fin, the second fin attached to the first edge of the first fin, wherein the first fin projects laterally from the second fin and the second edge forms a tip that extends lengthwise; 
 
 two twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors disposed in the first lateral space; and 
 two other twisted pairs of individually insulated electrical conductors disposed in the second lateral space. 
 
     
     
       12. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the second fin is disposed substantially against an interior surface of the jacket, and
 wherein the first fin substantially bisects the interior space to provide the first lateral space and the second lateral space. 
 
     
     
       13. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the second edge of the first fin runs along an interior surface of the jacket. 
     
     
       14. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the second fin is concave or convex. 
     
     
       15. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the first edge of the first fin is attached to an edge of the second fin. 
     
     
       16. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the first edge of the first fin is seamlessly attached to the second fin along an approximate midpoint of the second fin. 
     
     
       17. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the differences between twist rates of twisted pairs that are disposed circumferentially adjacent one another are greater than the differences between twist rates of twisted pairs that are diagonal from one another. 
     
     
       18. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible member comprises a plurality of electrically conductive patches that are electrically isolated from one another to provide one or more shields. 
     
     
       19. The communication cable of  claim 11 , wherein the communication cable comprises a substantially round cable. 
     
     
       20. A communication cable, comprising:
 a jacket running longitudinally and defining an interior region; 
 a flexible member disposed in the interior region and comprising:
 a first strip running longitudinally along an interior surface of the jacket and configured to anchor the flexible member to the jacket; and 
 a second strip having a thickness that is substantially the same as the first strip and running longitudinally, joined with and projecting laterally from the first strip, forming a tip opposite the first strip, and separating the interior region into two chambers, with a plurality of twisted pairs of insulated signal conductors in each chamber. 
 
 
     
     
       21. The communication cable of  claim 20 , wherein the first strip is bowed toward the jacket. 
     
     
       22. The communication cable of  claim 20 , wherein the first strip is bowed away from the jacket. 
     
     
       23. The communication cable of  claim 20 , wherein the first strip and the second strip are seamlessly joined. 
     
     
       24. The communication cable of  claim 20 , wherein the first strip and the second strip are substantially perpendicular to one another in a cross section of the communication cable.